The Last Nights of Scheherazade

by Paula Cizmar

A young woman, Cher, retreats into stories to mask the truth about her abusive marriage. A musician researching the sounds of desert cultures befriends her, helping to draw her out and face the truth—but his motives become misunderstood and place her in more jeopardy. Finalist, Henley Rose Playwright Competition. Winner, Israel Baran Award. (Unproduced.)

A young woman, Cher, retreats into stories to mask the truth about her abusive marriage. A musician researching the sounds of desert cultures befriends her, helping to draw her out and face the truth—but his motives become misunderstood and place her in more jeopardy. Finalist, Henley Rose Playwright Competition. Winner, Israel Baran Award. (Unproduced.)

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The Last Nights of Scheherazade

Recommended by

  • Cheryl Bear: The Last Nights of Scheherazade by Paula Cizmar
    “

    A powerful look into the experience of surviving in a world of PTSD and domestic violence where the power of music plays a major role in healing. Well done.

    A powerful look into the experience of surviving in a world of PTSD and domestic violence where the power of music plays a major role in healing. Well done.

    ”
  • Inda Craig-Galván: The Last Nights of Scheherazade by Paula Cizmar
    “

    The desert serves as a beautiful, scorched backdrop for this play that deals with haunting violence. The threat of violence within a couple's marriage, the violence of war still raging inside the mind of a veteran, and the comfort and playfulness of the protagonist's job working with children in a library all work together to explore complex relationships.

    The desert serves as a beautiful, scorched backdrop for this play that deals with haunting violence. The threat of violence within a couple's marriage, the violence of war still raging inside the mind of a veteran, and the comfort and playfulness of the protagonist's job working with children in a library all work together to explore complex relationships.

    ”
  • Jennifer Maisel: The Last Nights of Scheherazade by Paula Cizmar
    “

    This gorgeous play weaves the pain of the fractured love between a storytelling woman and her veteran husband with the healing power of music. Paula Cizmar's characters are heartbreaking, authentic and human, her language lush, the setting evocative.

    This gorgeous play weaves the pain of the fractured love between a storytelling woman and her veteran husband with the healing power of music. Paula Cizmar's characters are heartbreaking, authentic and human, her language lush, the setting evocative.

    ”
View all 4 recommendations

Development History

  • Reading, Seedlings' Green Reads @ Theatricum Botanicum,

Awards

  • Israel Baran Award for Best Unproduced Play
    Will Geer's Theatricum Botanicum